Strengthening measles prevention for children

Updated date: 08/17/2024 05:35:33

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DTO - According to the Dong Thap Center for Disease Control, from the beginning of 2024 to now, the whole province has recorded 57 children with suspected measles rash fever, an increase of 54 cases compared to the same period in 2023. The measles epidemic situation in the province is basically under control, however, with the ability to spread quickly, the risk of a measles outbreak in the province in the coming time is relatively high, so it is necessary to continue to monitor developments and not be subjective.

Many children have measles

Since the beginning of June, the number of children with measles has increased, notably in 12 districts and cities in the province. Localities with high numbers of measles cases are Cao Lanh city and the districts of Lai Vung, Cao Lanh, Thanh Binh. In the face of the increasing number of children with measles, medical facilities in the province have increased monitoring and closely supervised measles cases to promptly handle and treat cases early, limiting the progression and death.

Baby Nguyen Hoang Bach (9 months old) living in Hamlet 2, Phong My Commune, Cao Lanh District has measles and is being treated at Dong Thap General Hospital. Before that, the baby had a high fever and a red rash all over his body. Ms. Nguyen Tran Thien An took her baby to see a doctor and was surprised when the doctor said her baby had measles. Ms. Nguyen Tran Thien An (mother of baby Hoang Bach) shared: “At first, the baby had a fever and had tiny rashes on his hands and feet. I took him to a private doctor and monitored him at home for 2 days. Seeing that the rash was getting worse, I took him to the hospital. It has been 5 days now and the doctor diagnosed the baby with measles. I knew about this disease, but because the baby often gets sick, I haven't had time to get vaccinated against measles yet.”

Children with measles are being treated at Dong Thap General Hospital

In the case of baby Nguyen Ngoc Bao Vy (born in 2023), residing in Long Hung A commune, Lap Vo district, with symptoms of cough and runny nose, her family took her to Dong Thap General Hospital for examination and hospitalization. After that, the baby had additional signs of fever, red rash, and red eyes with discharge due to measles. Talking to us, Ms. Luong Hong Huy (mother of baby Nguyen Ngoc Bao Vy) said: “At home, the baby only had a cough and runny nose, I took the baby to the hospital for examination and hospitalization. A few days later, the baby had a fever, red eyes with a lot of discharge, then a small red rash... The doctor diagnosed the baby with measles. I took care of her according to the doctor's instructions, now the baby is better. The baby is almost 9 months old, because the baby often gets sick, the baby has not been vaccinated against measles."

According to statistics from Dong Thap General Hospital, from June to July 13, the hospital received and treated 36 children with measles. Currently, the Department of Infectious Diseases is treating 6 children with measles. Among them, many children have not been vaccinated against measles, because they are not old enough or their parents have not vaccinated their children.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health , measles is an acute infectious disease caused by the measles virus. The disease is common in children, especially children under 5 years old. This is a dangerous infectious disease that causes epidemics and is one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years old. The disease is mainly transmitted through the respiratory tract when children inhale nasal secretions that are sprayed, diffused in the air, or come into direct contact with secretions from the nasal and throat of sick children.

Dong Thap General Hospital doctor examines child with measles

Need to proactively vaccinate against disease

Specialist II Le Thanh Tung - Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Dong Thap General Hospital, said: "The clinical symptoms of measles when it starts are fever lasting from 2 to 5 days, accompanied by a rash starting from behind the ears, then spreading to the forehead, face, gradually spreading down to the neck, chest, limbs and having symptoms of folliculitis such as: sneezing, runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis... The most dangerous complication of measles is pneumonia, if not detected and treated promptly, it can cause death. In addition to pneumonia, common complications are otitis media, laryngitis and even encephalitis... causing the risk of death".

In case of measles, the treatment is to take the child to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment, isolation; give the child all the necessary nutrients, increase foods rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A to protect the child's eyes; when the child has a high fever, give paracetamol. At the same time, monitor and detect dangerous complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, encephalitis for timely treatment to prevent mortality. In addition, give the child plenty of fresh fruit juice, filtered water...; keep the child's body clean; increase nutrition for the child to limit complications of measles.

Specialist II Le Thanh Tung added: “Currently, there is a vaccine to prevent measles, so it is recommended that people take their children to vaccination facilities. For children with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency, they must receive additional measles vaccinations to strengthen and enhance their immunity to prevent measles.”

Experts warn that 2024 is the year when measles outbreaks are likely to occur every 4-5 years. Therefore, parents should pay attention to the need to vaccinate and catch up on vaccinations for children who have not been vaccinated against measles. Since the beginning of the year, the measles vaccination rate for children in the province has reached more than 62%. According to forecasts, from now until the end of the year, measles outbreaks are likely to increase, so people should not be subjective. To know if their children have been fully vaccinated against measles, parents need to review their children's vaccination records, contact the commune or ward health station to vaccinate their children or vaccination service facilities to proactively vaccinate and prevent measles.

The provincial Center for Disease Control recommends that people proactively vaccinate their children against measles to prevent the disease. To achieve high disease prevention efficiency, children need to be fully vaccinated with 2 doses of measles vaccine. Dose 1: injected when the child is 9 months old; dose 2: injected when the child is 18 months old . Do not let children come into contact with patients with measles or suspected measles. Regularly wash hands and clean the child's body, wash hands with soap before and after taking care of the child. Clean the house, keep the house airy, avoid drafts when it is cold.

The health sector is actively implementing measures to prevent and combat measles. However, to effectively prevent measles, each individual and family needs to raise awareness, proactively vaccinate children and implement preventive measures as recommended by the health sector.

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Source: https://baodongthap.vn/suc-khoe/tang-cuong-phong-chong-dich-soi-cho-tre-124834.aspx